Country farmhouse kitchen

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Claire and Mark Porter have redesigned their kitchen to suit the character of their 200-year-old North Yorkshire farmhouse. Their efforts earned this room makeover the title of Best Kitchen in our Readers’ Awards 2009.

‘We moved here in 2007,' says Claire Porter, 'and the kitchen was the first room we tackled as it desperately needed renovating,’ she continues. ‘It was full of dark pine cupboards on every wall, so it felt much too “fitted” and made the space appear very cramped.

‘The kitchen was originally a dairy barn adjoining the farmhouse,’ she continues, ‘so we wanted to bring out some of its rustic character. The layout was quite easy to design, as I knew where I wanted the large Aga, Belfast sink and fridge freezer to go. But the kitchen wasn’t big enough for a dining table, so we opted for a breakfast bar recessed into the corner that overlooks the nearby hills. We commissioned Richard Pooley, a local kitchen and furniture maker, to make the cupboards in a mixture of waxed oak for the base units, and painted wood for the wall cupboards and large free-standing cupboard.’

More character has been added to the room with the removal of a partially lowered false ceiling, revealing a second beam, which they stained to match the first. They also used a length of reclaimed timber as an attractive shelf above the Aga, and commissioned a local artist, Shirley Madden, to paint tiles as a unique splashback. ‘And after about six months of searching for the right worktop,' says Claire, 'we finally found one that isn’t too glossy: “leather finish” granite.’ The duller, more natural appearance and the flecks of various shades of reds make it easier to maintain than a dark shiny stone.

Claire and Mark also replaced the rotten wood window frames with new hard wood ones, added Jim Lawrence lighting, plugs and switches, and laid a Chinese multi-coloured slate tile floor in a random pattern to complete the country feel. ‘We’ve used local businesses wherever we could,' says Claire, 'and feel that the design we’ve chosen complements the house and its surroundings; I enjoy being in it every day.'

FEATURE NAOMI JONES PHOTOGRAPHS BRENT DARBY
Featured in the March 2010 issue of Period Living